Astronomy

Skybird · 07-31-10, 09:35 AM

I have invested money today into an nold field of interest of mine, astronomy.

In the early 80s, when I was at Gymnasium in Berlin, regular astronomy courses additional to regular physics courses and also counting for the final notes of the Abitur, were rare, and considered to be exotic. My good old school

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheingau-Oberschule (gotta love that building)

offered two such courses, which was lucky, because I managed to squeeze out maximum points A+ for both courses without needing to work for it, which helped my final Abitur mean score quite a bit.

I considered it for weeks now and now have decided to engage on the field of astronomy again, because I have the time, the interest, and the investements made today I can afford. So I separated from 80 bucks and bought a copy of Bennett/Donahue/Schneider/Voit: The Cosmic Perspective, 5th edition (German), after i checked it in the bookshop for almost one hour, finding myself increasingly excited and fascinated. While not everything is new to me, the wide perspective and the level of detail neverthelss is new indeed, coupled with very student-friendly access to the matter, minimising the use of number stuff and formulas, giving good and plenty illustrations, and also containing another planetarium software (Stargazer 4.5, I knew Cellestia and Stellarium so far) as well as access to the online platform http://www.masteringastronomy.com/. I consider to register there as well and maybe follow a full course they offer, but i will wait a while until i have dived a bit into the book, which with almost 4 kilograms and 1150 pages is nothing you want to read while already lying in your bed in the evening.

Has anyone experience with that online course and has some advice and reommendations on it?

However, it feels as if I got a quality book there, and exactly what matches my need and interest best: non-professional, but purely private interest, coupled with easy access and ergonomic presentation.

Feels like a happy day today!

And 80 bucks well-spent.

07-31-10, 09:35 AM	#1
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Astronomy I have invested money today into an nold field of interest of mine, astronomy. In the early 80s, when I was at Gymnasium in Berlin, regular astronomy courses additional to regular physics courses and also counting for the final notes of the Abitur, were rare, and considered to be exotic. My good old school http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheingau-Oberschule (gotta love that building) offered two such courses, which was lucky, because I managed to squeeze out maximum points A+ for both courses without needing to work for it, which helped my final Abitur mean score quite a bit. I considered it for weeks now and now have decided to engage on the field of astronomy again, because I have the time, the interest, and the investements made today I can afford. So I separated from 80 bucks and bought a copy of Bennett/Donahue/Schneider/Voit: The Cosmic Perspective, 5th edition (German), after i checked it in the bookshop for almost one hour, finding myself increasingly excited and fascinated. While not everything is new to me, the wide perspective and the level of detail neverthelss is new indeed, coupled with very student-friendly access to the matter, minimising the use of number stuff and formulas, giving good and plenty illustrations, and also containing another planetarium software (Stargazer 4.5, I knew Cellestia and Stellarium so far) as well as access to the online platform http://www.masteringastronomy.com/. I consider to register there as well and maybe follow a full course they offer, but i will wait a while until i have dived a bit into the book, which with almost 4 kilograms and 1150 pages is nothing you want to read while already lying in your bed in the evening. Has anyone experience with that online course and has some advice and reommendations on it? However, it feels as if I got a quality book there, and exactly what matches my need and interest best: non-professional, but purely private interest, coupled with easy access and ergonomic presentation. Feels like a happy day today! And 80 bucks well-spent. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.